Posted on Jan 25, 2020
Ashley Nicole
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I’ll be 25 going into basic training and AIT. I’ve read a lot of things on threads about basic training tips (all which are amazing) and pointers and advice and what not, but I’m looking for more female based opinions. For example, advice on the perfect bun to keep in regulation, using the most of your shower time (do you wash your hair, shave, hit the hot spots)? Tips and advice that other females have learned after their experience.
Posted in these groups: Bt Basic TraineeCollege advice AdviceTrain2 Training
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Responses: 4
SFC Retention Operations Nco
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Basic Training is not that difficult, man or woman. Just remember that it's all a game and you'll be OK. You'll always be given unreasonable time hacks, which you will fail. Don't take it personal, it's just designed to make you become a part of a team and less oriented towards being a self centered individual. It's designed for you to pass. It's designed for you to suffer - self development is in the suffering. It's designed to teach you that your limits are inside your head.

There's nothing to really do or any way to game it. Just remember these three guidelines:
Do what you're told to do and when you're told to do it.
Your peers will screw it up and you will suffer for it.
It's not personal.
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SPC Stewart Smith
SPC Stewart Smith
5 y
I'm glad I'm not the only one who recognized that it was always my peers and never me.
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Ashley Nicole
Ashley Nicole
5 y
Perfect and to the point, good perspective too.
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SFC S2 Intelligence Ncoic
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MAJ Javier Rivera
MAJ Javier Rivera
5 y
Right on target.
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PFC 15t
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I would practice getting your bun down faster bc there will be time where you only have like 5-10 minutes to get ready for the day. I was 24 in basic and ait. It was different bc I was mature but my company that I was apart of was all adults around my age.
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SSG Brian G.
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A SFC (Join to see) said and all good points.
I would add this: Basic is about tearing down the SM and building them back up to be soldiers. Becoming that basic solid foundation upon which all other training is built. It's hard but it is meant to be, but meant so that if you apply yourself and want it... you can and will pass.

Accept that no matter what you do, right or wrong, you are going to get smoked. Go at it hard. Do the best you can. Learn all you can. Help others.

IN BCT you want to be middle of the road in the pack. You don't want to fall behind, fall out, or cause negative attention because you will get smoked and cause your company to get smoked. Similarly you don't want to be that shining star because then the rest are compared to you and THEY get smoked and then they take it out on you. Basically the drills use you as an excuse to smoke the rest.

It's all a game. Nothing personal. Do not make it personal.
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SSG Brian G.
SSG Brian G.
5 y
As to more of a female based ... I have a friend whose daughter just recently went in. Now this really will depend on when you go to basic, but if you are not that overly attached to your hair and can wrap your head around the fact that it will grow back? Cut it. That way there is no need to worry with that added hassle of a bun at basic or even AIT. Just make sure it falls within Army guidelines and really you save yourself a lot of hassle... and extra sweat.

She said it was so much easier when all she had to do was get up, shake her head a bit, brush it, and run out to PT formation. Versus having to put it into a bun and then go and the same goes for uniforms. Washing and drying was a breeze too and so much cooler. Bad enough when you are busting it in 90+ degree heat, really active, dirty and then you add in all that hair. Then you have to care for it...
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